Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Both Aristotle and Dante never knew what friendship was until they found each other. As both self-proclaimed loners, their relationship begins the day Dante offers to teach Ari how to swim at the local pool. From that moment on, the two boys share a bond that is almost palpable, and even distance, family complications, and near tragedy cannot break it.

Sparse, gentle, beautiful.  Those are the best words I can use to describe Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

 Ari, Dante, and the entire cast of characters in this novel are some of the most loveable and memorable in all of literature. There is no forced conflict here. This is a novel where the plot doesn't move the story, the characters do, and that's just how I like my novels. 

I could draw this out and make this a longer review, but I feel like I'd be doing the book's sparse, straightforward style a disservice by droning on about it. It's something you just need to experience for yourself. Its multiple 2013 ALA awards, including a coveted Printz honor, are testament enough to its timelessness. 


Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Published: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 359
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
Disclosure: Library Copy